Legal Separation Attorney in Indianapolis

What are the Advantages of Legal Separation?

In some cases, the circumstances that lead to
divorce happen suddenly and without warning. Most times, however, it is a long
and gradual process in which the conditions of the marriage steadily deteriorate
until they reach a point where the husband and wife simply cannot face
the prospect of continuing to spend their lives together. Rather than
turning to divorce right away, many people choose to get a legal separation
first. This is most common in cases in which the spouses still harbor
hopes of being able to salvage the marriage and / or have children.

By legally separating, you and your spouse can give yourselves the time
and space you need to work on your relationship without the pressure of
living in close quarters. Other people choose legal separation because
they cannot divorce due to deeply held religious convictions, while some
couples want to avoid divorce so that they can keep insurance and medical benefits.

How to Get a Legal Separation in Indiana

When you petition the court for legal separation, you can obtain orders
concerning matters:

​These orders will be legally enforceable, meaning that you will have recourse
in the event that your spouse violates any one of them. Furthermore, you
will have the chance to find out whether the terms of the orders work
for you so that you can choose either to accept them as-is or to modify
them should you move forward with divorce proceedings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Legal separation is often an excellent choice for couples who are experiencing
marital troubles. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to
contact our firm at once. To help you begin gaining a full understanding of a legal separation,
we have provided answers to some of the most commonly asked questions
on this topic. Read through the questions and answers below before making
your decision:

What is the main difference between divorce and a legal separation? Divorce completely terminates a marriage and makes it so the couple is
free to marry another person. The wife can also take on her maiden name.
Debts and other financial liabilities of one person become their own responsibilities,
rather than having both parties responsible. Legal separation is not permanent;
in fact it can only last for a year or less. During that time, the couple
is still considered legally married and financial responsibilities are
shared by both parties.

How can I apply for legal separation in Indiana? Legal separation is a no-fault process and does neither spouse has to
prove that they did anything wrong for a divorce to be obtained. You can
make a request to the court on the grounds that the marriage is no longer
tolerable and that the couple is unable to live together. If one party
has filed for divorce, the other cannot file for legal separation.

What happens to children in a legal separation? If children are involved when a legal separation is pursued in Indiana,
the courts may require the parents to seek counseling for any of the following parties:

The parents

The children

Both parents and children

This action can be taken to make a last effort to save the marriage.

Why get a legal separation? Every couple's reason for getting a legal separation is likely different
than the next. A legal separation is viewed by the court as a period to
allow the couple to cool off before making a final decision on the direction
of their marriage. It allows the couple an opportunity to seek marital
counseling, which is often ordered by the court.

How Our Firm Can Help You

The family law court will grant an order of separation based on evidence
that the marriage has reached a point where it is currently not tolerable
for the spouses to continue living in the same household. A
family law attorney from Bowen & Associates, LLC can represent you in court and
present your petition, as well as assist you with working out terms for
the various court orders.

We understand that this may be a difficult experience for you, but we are
here to help. Take the first step now by contacting us for a
free case evaluation.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Do not provide any confidential information. Nothing on this site should
be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information
is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute,
an attorney-client relationship.